BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES TALKS ON OUTSOURCING SANITATION SERVICES, SWEARS IN WINKELMANN
The Brenham City Council received further information today (Thursday) on the city’s plans to outsource its sanitation operations to Brannon Industrial Group (BIG).
Councilmembers met in work session to discuss an agreement in the works between the city and BIG for municipal solid waste collection, disposal, and recycling services. Public Works Director Dane Rau said the city is “really close” to finalizing the agreement with BIG, and explained some of what the agreement will mean for City of Brenham residents and businesses.
As per the agreement, BIG will use 96-gallon carts for curbside solid waste collection and curbside single-stream recycling, with pickup once every week and once every other week respectively.
Single-stream recycling refers to customers not having to separate their recycling when they drop it off. BIG will sort the recycling when it takes it to its sorting station in College Station.
The city will continue to bill citizens for residential sanitation services, and BIG will invoice the city for residential sanitation and recycling services. For commercial customers, the city will bill them for recycling services, and BIG will provide 8-yard dumpsters for once-a-week pickup.
Other parts of the agreement dictate that BIG will lease the collection/transfer station, with Rau saying the company is planning to purchase some of the city’s fleet equipment. BIG will assume full responsibility for all non-fleet equipment and fixtures currently in place at the facility. It will also continue to perform city and county spring cleanup events at no charge, pick up community recycling trailers one time per month at local schools and in locations throughout the county. In addition, Rau said BIG will be able to provide sanitation services on more days throughout the year, due to it having fewer holidays.
Rau said Washington County residents have expressed concern that recycling services would be discontinued with this decision. Rau said that will not be a problem, as BIG will provide recycling drop-off points at the collection/transfer station.
Rau said this decision to outsource sanitation services was made to allow the city to keep those services operating at a high level, while letting it pursue other endeavors.
When asked how city employees would be affected, City Manager James Fisher said both the city and BIG have spoken with employees, and reassured that they would be “taken care of”, whether they transition into BIG or somewhere else within the city.
Fisher said a workshop on the agreement will be held next week, with the first portion of the agreement coming to councilmembers at their meeting February 20th. He said the item may be broken up into several pieces over the course of several meetings, in order to ensure everyone involved has time to review all the facets of the agreement. He said he hopes this will be a great partnership with BIG, adding the company has assured him it will surpass all expectations.
Also in session today, John D. Winkelmann was sworn in as Brenham Municipal Court’s new presiding judge, after being appointed to the position last month. Winkelmann will fill the term of previous presiding judge Bill Kendall, who was removed from his office in October. Winkelmann’s term expires December 31st.
The council then adjourned into executive session to consult with the city attorney and hold discussion regarding the Barnhill Center. No action was taken.
Also in regular session, the council:
- Tabled a resolution providing for support for Trinity Brenham Trails, LP’s submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs requesting 2020 housing tax credits for the Brenham Trails Development. It also tabled a resolution providing support for Brazos Trace, LLC’s submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, requesting 2020 competitive 9 percent housing tax credits for the Fairview Terrace Development. In addition, it deferred confirmation that Fairview Terrace LP, Brazos Trace Brenham, LLC, and the Brenham Housing Authority’s development, Fairview Terrace, located at 700 Eleanor Drive, contributes to concerted revitalization efforts within Brenham city limits.
- Repealed a resolution related to the adoption of a commercial tax phase-in agreement with Valmont Coatings, Inc., and approved the mutual cancellation of said agreement.
- Paid off JPMorgan Chase Bank for the Diamond Z tub grinder in the amount of $466,879.
- Authorized submission of a grant application through the criminal justice division of the Office of the Governor, for the rifle-resistant body armor grant program.
- Approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, for acceptance of a grant for travel expenses and academy program implementation at the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.
- Approved recommendations for appointments and reappointments to various city boards and committees, including the Airport Advisory Board, Animal Advisory Board, Board of Adjustments, Brenham Community Development Corporation, Brenham Housing Authority, Brenham-Washington County Hotel Occupancy Tax Board, Building Standards Commission, Library Advisory Board, Main Street Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Reviewed the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Fourth Quarter Financial Report.